Local Art: Street art is not a crime

For this blog post I want to continue with my focus on the local hip hop scene in Niagara, specifically graffiti. First, I am going to make it clear what I mean by graffiti, since it is a term that gets tossed around a lot.  

While searching for definitions I found these from the Oxford Dictionary: 
Art: the use of the imagination to express ideas or feelings, particularly in paint and drawing

Graffiti: drawings or writing on a wall etc., in a public space

Vandalism: the crime of destroying or damaging something, especially public property, deliberately and for no good reason

I realize that people have their own opinions on art and whether they consider graffiti to be an art form. I believe that there is bad graffiti, which is vandalism, when people purposely destroy or tag property. But I am talking about the artistic side of graffiti, artists with a real talent and who give meaning to their work. One of the main reasons is the prospect of fame and recognition of one's artistic talent. Artists also use the walls as a form of self-expression. Vandalism is illegal, but street art should not be. 

I have lived in St. Catharines my entire life (that would be 22 years) and it wasn’t that long ago I realized the art that exists on the street walls, under bridges and highways in the city.  There is a legal wall in downtown St. Catharines, located in the alley way beside L3 Nightclub on James St. Artists have permission at certain times of the year to paint on these walls. 

2010 Live Aids Niagara Graf Jam (Legal Wall, St. Catharines) 

Graffiti can be in the form of murals or productions, when many artists come together to paint a similar theme. It’s unfortunate that there are not very many legal walls in the area for artists to express themselves and showcase their work. Instead, if you want to see real artwork it is at places like the thoth and trussle, located under highways and bridges, not visible or known to most city residents. 

'District 905' - Thoth, St. Catharines